Student-Led School Recycling Initiative

Project Summary

25 students at Canoga Park High School formed a Sustainability Club that weekly collects and properly recycles plastic waste that would otherwise go to landfill. They also plant seeds and do trail maintenance in the community.

Detailed Story

When students at Canoga Park High School learned that the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) had discontinued its recycling program, they decided to take action. Led by their teacher Ethlene Pollak, the school’s Sustainability Club implemented a weekly recycling collection program across campus. Every Friday, club members gather approximately 6-8 bags of plastic waste from throughout the school and transport it to proper recycling facilities. This student-driven initiative prevents significant amounts of plastic from entering landfills while empowering young people to make tangible environmental impacts in their school community. The project demonstrates how students can identify local environmental gaps and develop practical solutions through collective action.

Impact Statement

The Sustainability Club collects and properly recycles 6-8 bags of plastic waste weekly, preventing hundreds of pounds of plastic from entering landfills annually while fostering environmental leadership skills among students.